The Advocate of Truth

God or Mammon

Space

Things We Must Do

The Sacrifice

Covering Sin

Powers of Heaven

The Advocate of Truth is the official or-gan of The Church of God (7th Day) withheadquarters at Salem, West Virginia.

It is published once a month on the fourthMonday of each month by The Church ofGod Publishing House, PO Box 328, Sa-lem, West Virginia 26426. The magazineis mailed under the periodicals rate at thePost Office in Salem, West Virginia.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Your subscription is free. It is paid forby people who are concerned about thetruth. Your contributions are sincerely appre-ciated. You may request this periodical bysending your mailing address to this ad-dress.

POSTMASTER:Please send address changes to:

THE CHURCH OF GOD PUBLISHING HOUSE

P.O. Box 328Salem, WV 26426-0328

Telephone: 304-782-1411Fax: 304-782-2248

E-Mail: cogsevday@aol.comWeb site: www.churchofgod-7thday.org

Del DeLongDavid DeLongBond Tennant.....................Editorial StaffGary Mills .................... Managing EditorLudina Mills.......Children’s Page Editor

Volume LX II Number 4 October 22, 2012

The Advocate of TruthUSPS 542-940

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

God Or Mammon .........................................................3-5 Everyone must decide this important issue.

Let Us Examine Ourselves .......................................... 5-6 We should do this often, not just once a year.

Space .............................................................................. 6 Should a Child of God desire to live on another planet?

Things We Must Do ........................................................ 7 What are some of our duties involving the Scriptures?

The Sacrifice ................................................................... 8 We examine Abraham's willingness to offer up Isaac.

Covering Sin .................................................................. 9 There is man's way of doing this, and then there is God's way.

The Powers Of Heaven ............................................ 10-13 Will signs in the heavens forecast God's grace or wrath?

A Merry Heart ............................................................... 13 The Bible gives godly wisdom for our well being.

The Signs Of The Times .......................................... 14-15 Two examples of false gospels being taught today.

Questions And Answers ........................................... 16-17 Who has the right to call God his or her Father?

The Church Around The World ............................... 18-19 This month we look at the church in Myanmar.

The Children's Pages ............................................... 20-23 Sabbath School Lessons A Story - "Johnny's Mistake" Games and Puzzles

The Cover Photo was taken by Brooke DeLong in Utah.

THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH PAGE THREE

Brethren and friends, most of the world’s populationthinks that gain is godliness, but the words of AlmightyGod tell us, “But godliness with contentment is great gain”(I Timothy 6:6). “Trust not in oppression, and becomenot vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heartupon them” (Psalm 62:10). “For we brought nothing intothis world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Andhaving food and raiment let us be therewith content” (ITimothy 6:7-8). “If any man teach otherwise, and consentnot to wholesome words, even the words of our LordJesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according togodliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting aboutquestions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife,railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men ofcorrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing thatgain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself” (I Timothy6:3-5).

“ Charge them that are rich in this world, that they benot highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in theliving God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (verse17). “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and asnare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drownmen in destruction and perdition. For the love of moneyis the root of all evil: which while some coveted after,they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselvesthrough with many sorrows” (verses 9-10).

In Ecclesiastes, the wise man quoted: “A feast is madefor laughter, and wine maketh merry: but moneyanswereth all things” (Ecclesiastes 10:19). We know thatmoney is essential, but if we trust God where we cannot

see Him, He can do wonders in our lives as He did for theprophet Elijah. “So he (Elijah) went and did accordingunto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt bythe brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravensbrought him bread and flesh in the morning, and breadand flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. Andit came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up,because there had been no rain in the land. And the wordof the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee toZarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there:behold, I have commanded a widow woman there tosustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. Andwhen he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widowwoman was there gathering of sticks: and he called toher, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in avessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it,he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morselof bread in thine hand. And she said, As the LORD thyGod liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in abarrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gatheringtwo sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and myson, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her,Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make methereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and aftermake for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORDGod of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neithershall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORDsendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and didaccording to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, andher house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal

God orMammon

By Bibi S. Allicock

PAGE FOUR THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH

wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according tothe word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah” (I Kings17:5-16).

We saw that the prophet Elijah, along with the woman,did according to the word of Almighty God. Thus, sheand her son were sustained MANY DAYS without money.

We must be thankful and obedient unto Almighty Godfor all that He is doing for us, and do not worship Him aswe feel but according to His words we must worship Him.This is because, “There is a way which seemeth right untoa man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs14:12). Our Lord admonished us that, “Not every onethat saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdomof heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which isin heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Although money is essential in our lives, God is ableand capable to sustain us despite our situations. PersonallyI have experienced the great power of Almighty God.Thus, anyone who is willing to put his trust in Him can doso, and experience His tender love, care, and compassion.“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them thatput their trust in him” (Proverbs 30:5). Almighty God wasreally a shield unto the prophet Elisha. “And it fell on aday, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a greatwoman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so itwas, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eatbread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, Iperceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth byus continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee,on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table,and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when hecometh to us, that he shall turn in thither” (II Kings 4:8-10).

After the woman showed kindness unto the prophetof God, God in return blessed her with a son although herhusband was very old. “And the woman conceived, andbare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her,according to the time of life” (II Kings 4:17).

Nevertheless, the child died, but the woman did notgive up, but she put her trust in Almighty God. “So shewent and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel.And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afaroff, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder isthat Shunammite” (II Kings 4:25). "And when she cameto the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet "(verse 27,. first part). “Then she said, Did I desire a son

of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?” (verse28) “And the mother of the child said, As the LORDliveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And hearose, and followed her” (verse 30). “And when Elishawas come into the house, behold, the child was dead,and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut thedoor upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. Andhe went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouthupon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his handsupon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child;and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned,and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, andstretched himself upon him: and the child...opened hiseyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call thisShunammite. So he called her. And when she was comein unto him, he said, Take up thy son” (verses 32-36).

God continued to be a shelter in the time of stormunto the woman. “Then spake Elisha unto the woman,whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and gothou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thoucanst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine;and it shall also come upon the land seven years. And thewoman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God:and she went with her household, and sojourned in theland of the Philistines seven years. And it came to pass atthe seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of theland of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto theking for her house and for her land. And the king talkedwith Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tellme, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how hehad restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman,whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king forher house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, Oking, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisharestored to life. And when the king asked the woman,she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certainofficer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruitsof the field since the day that she left the land, even untilnow” (II Kings 8:1-6).

This woman was focused and trusted in the Lord andshe was being shielded carefully by Him. At times wewaiver from our faith, and our Pastor will admonish usthat we cannot hold onto two bull tails at the same time.If they went in the opposite directions, we would be indeep trouble. “No man can serve two masters: for either

THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH PAGE FIVE

he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he willhold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serveGod and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

Our Pastor will always encourage us that we must behot for the Lord and not be as the church of the Laodiceanswhen the Lord upbraided them saying, “I know thy works,and thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert coldor hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neithercold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Becausethou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, andhave need of nothing; and knowest not that thou artwretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”(Revelation 3:15-17).

“They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselvesin the multitude of their riches; None of them can by anymeans redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom forhim” (Psalm 49:6-7). “For he seeth that wise men die,likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leavetheir wealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat ofthat bread, and drink of that cup” (I Corinthians 11:28). We know that the above verse pertains to examiningone’s self to be sure that he does not eat of that bread anddrink of that cup unworthily at the time of the Lord’sSupper. The thought came to me that we should often examineourselves in certain areas of our lives to be sure that weare pleasing God. The following are a few verses thatpertain to five of these areas:1. Let us examine ourselves in regard to our companions. “Be not deceived: evil communications (persons)corrupt good manners” (I Corinthians 15:33). “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel ofthe ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sittethin the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1). “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a

houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling placesto all generations; they call their lands after their ownnames” (verses 10-11). “Be not thou afraid when one ismade rich, when the glory of his house is increased; Forwhen he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shallnot descend after him” (verses 16-17). “Man that is inhonour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts thatperish” (verse 20).

Our Lord admonished, “As many as I love, I rebukeand chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, Istand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup withhim, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grantto sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, andam set down with my Father in his throne. He that hathan ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”(Revelation 3:19-22). Amen.

companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). There is an old saying which goes, “Birds of a feather,flock together.”2. Let us examine our habits. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in theworld. If any man love the world, the love of the Father isnot in him” (I John 2:15). James said, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know yenot that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is theenemy of God” (James 4:4). “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:old things are passed away; behold, all things are becomenew” (II Corinthians 5:17). “No man can serve two masters: for either he willhate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to theone, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and

Let Us ExamineOurselves

(A Thought)Bond Tennant

PAGE SIX THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH

mammon” (Matthew 6:24). After reading the gospels, a young man said, “I wonderwhen Christians began to be so different from Jesus?”3. Let us examine our thoughts. “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance,will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts”(Psalm 10:4). “...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with allthy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27). “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speakgood things? for out of the abundance of the heart themouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,and if there be any praise, think on these things”(Philippians 4:8).4. Let us examine our affections. “Set your affection on things above, not on thingson the earth” (Colossians 3:2). “For to be carnally minded is death; but to bespiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved thispresent world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia” (II Timothy 4:10). “He that loveth father or mother more than me isnot worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughtermore than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not beentried and found wanting. It has been found difficult, andleft untried.”5. Let us examine our motives. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoeverye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all inthe name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and theFather by him” (Colossians 3:17). We will be rewarded for the work that we do forJesus’ sake. The works that we do for show, for self-aggrandizement, to build a name, for promotions, etc.,will be burned up. No matter how small, the works that we do in thename of Jesus will be recognized and rewarded. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work

You, no doubt, have heard that an unmanned Dragoncapsule by Space X, a private commercial company, waslaunched with its designation being the International SpaceStation. This was the first private venture into space sinceNASA’S space shuttle was retired. Of course, NASAworked closely with Space X. Should we not wonder what is the purpose for spaceflights to the International Space Station or anywhere else?What are they trying to accomplish? Is it not the abilityfor the common man to travel in space? Some believe that not in the too distant future spacecompanies, such as Space X, will be operating which willfeature planned trips to the planets in space vehicles whichwill be something on the order of the common airplaneyet more advanced and powerful. The possibility of people living on other planets besidesearth intrigues many, and they wish to find out forthemselves. Why would anyone wish to establish a colonyof earthlings on another planet when people cannot getalong among themselves on the earth? Would the child of God have any desire for travelingto another planet or any other location in outer space?The child of God is quite content to dwell upon the earthwhich God created to be inhabited.

and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward hisname, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and dominister” (Hebrews 6:10).

SPACESomething Upon Which To Think

THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH PAGE SEVEN

Since God has spoken, it is for us to hear and heed,and this will mean a proper use of the glorious Scriptures. We must search. “Search the scriptures; for in themye think ye have eternal life: and they are they whichtestify of me” (John 5:39). God’s thoughts are neverrevealed to listless readers, only to eager searchers. Theglories of the Bible are not discovered without diligentsearch. This Book affords opportunity for thought, andrequires its exercise. Its words, phrases and sentencesare full of meaning and power. We must meditate. “This book of the law shall notdepart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate thereinday and night, that thou mayest observe to do accordingto all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thyway prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success”(Joshua 1:8). “But his delight is in the law of the LORD;and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm1:2). The word “Meditation” comes from a Greek wordmeaning “to Attend.” This is essentially the idea of theBible. We must read it with attention. It is concerned ateach point with personal application. And it must be ourown thought, our own musing, our own application. Wemust leave all others’ interpretation alone. Tradition mustnot influence us. The Great, Primary, and Essential Pointis FIRST HAND meditation of God’s Word as the secretof the Life of a Child of God. When we have had our own meditation of the HolyWord, we are the better able to enjoy what God has toldHis people and what God has taught. Meditation mustbe real. It must be “...The meditation of my heart...”(Psalm 49:3). The heart in the Bible means the center ofmoral being, which includes the intellect, emotions and

the will. Meditation is also practical. What are its stages? First,we must carefully read the particular Scripture, and realizethat the Word of God has spoken to us. By doing this,we find what God is saying to us. Next, we must makeproper application of it to our own life’s need, conscience,heart, imagination, and will. We must compare. “Which things also we speak,not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but whichthe Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things withspiritual” (I Corinthians 2:13). God’s Word comes to usin many different combinations. When studying on asubject, we must add comparing to our searching andmeditating. We must compare the passages together inorder to arrive at the full meaning of the subject which weare studying. The various aspects of truth are then seen intheir entirety and proportions, and our spiritual life becomesfully informed and completely equipped. There are somany topics or subjects scattered throughout God’s Wordthat only as we collect and compare them can weappreciate the fullness and glory of God’s will to us. TheBible must be our daily food if we are to be strong andvigorous. Not quantity, but quality determines the nutritivevalue of food Job said, “Neither have I gone back from thecommandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words ofhis mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). The Psalmist wrote, “How sweet are thy words untomy taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm119:103). NOTE: The above article was adapted from theFORWARD of The Instructor of Truth, volume II.

Things We Must Do

PAGE EIGHT THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH

"And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering,and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in hishand, and a knife; and they went both of them together."(Genesis 22:6). After Hagar and Ishmael had been cast out, Abrahamhid his grief and took consolation in Isaac. He found inthis exuberant, laughing child new inner contentment, arealized dream, a purpose for living. In time, the old man’sheart was set on Isaac to the exclusion of all things. Theywere constant companions. One would not be seenwithout the other. Unlike many young men, Isaac delightedin the stories the elders of the camp would often relateabout the past. Abraham’s joy was indeed full, but God was notfinished with him yet. One afternoon the voice of theLord came to him as he walked along a grassy knoll,“Abraham,” the voice said, “take your son to a mountainwhich I shall show you in the land of Moriah. Offer himthere for a burnt offering.” Abraham must have been stunned. He had alwaystrusted in the Lord, but this time was a severe test of thepatriarch's faith. God had pledged to Abraham that hewould be the father of many nations, yet now he wouldsee Isaac sacrificed before he could father any children ofhis own. The man who had, purely by faith, left his prosperouscity of Ur to follow blindly after the Lord, the man whohad been put to just about every test imaginable was nowfaced with a terrible wrenching question: “Do I truly loveGod more than anything else in the world, or do I nowlove my son more?” During the rest of the day we canalmost see Abraham brooding in seclusion amid the grovesof stunted trees along the shallow streams of the plains.We can imagine he returned to his tent at nightfall, but hecould not partake of the evening meal. Faith had wonout. In spite of his personal feelings, Abraham knew thathe must obey God.

At dawn, Abraham, Isaac and two man servants tooka bundle of wood for use in the preparation of a burntoffering. They traveled for three days, arriving finally atthe site God had already chosen. Telling the men to tendthe ass which had borne the bundle up this mountainoustrail, Abraham took his knife, the wood and the “sacrifice”God had ordered. As they heaped stones for an altar, Isaac was puzzled.Where was the sheep customarily used for an offering?“My son,” Abraham said hoarsely, “God will provide thelamb.” When his father bound him and placed him on thewoodpile, Isaac said nothing. He probably was terrified,but he had never had reason to mistrust his father before. Just as the fatal knife stroke was about to be delivered,the angel of the Lord appeared supernaturally to stay thepatriarch’s hand. “And the angel of the LORD calledunto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham:and he said, Here am I. And he said, “Lay not thine handupon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for nowI know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheldthy son, thine only son from me” (Genesis 22:11-12). Another miracle occurred when a ram suddenlyappeared in the thicket, his horns hopelessly entangled inthe undergrowth. This animal was allowed to take Isaac’splace on the altar. “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, andlooked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicketby his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, andoffered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son”(verse 13). As Abraham was willing to give even his beloved sonto the Lord for a sacrifice, so would God also offer Hisown Son up as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind. Nomatter how much we show our love for God, we cannever hope to outdo Him in the love He shows towardus. --Adapted from an old Sabbath School Lesson

The Sacrifice

THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH PAGE NINE

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whosoconfesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy”(Proverbs 28:13). “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whosesin is covered” (Psalm 32:1). Let us meditate on the covering of sin. There is man’sway, and there is God’s way. However, before consideringthe covering of sin, we must first be sure that we knowwhat sin is. The biblical definition of sin is found in I John 3:4 whichreads, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also thelaw: for sin is the transgression of the law.” Let us considera few other verses which speak about sin. “Allunrighteousness is sin …” (I John 5:17). “Righteousnessexalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people”(Proverbs 14:34). Sin is deceitful and destructive.Therefore, Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin isdeath; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christour Lord.” Let us first consider man’s way of covering sin. Next,we will consider God’s way of covering sin.

Man’s way of covering sin Adam and Eve hid themselves. “And they heard thevoice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the coolof the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves fromthe presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of thegarden” (Genesis 3:8). They sewed fig leaves togetherand made aprons, but this didn’t hide their sin andnakedness from God. Proverbs 15:3 tells us, “The eyesof the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil andthe good.” In Genesis 4:8-10, we find that Cain killed Abel. Hetried to evade God’s question about Abel, by asking, “AmI my brother’s keeper?” But God knew his sin. He saidto Cain, “the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto mefrom the ground.”

In II Samuel 11:1-26, we find that David tried to hidehis sins. He stayed behind and didn’t go to battle. Hesaw the woman bathing. He coveted her. He committedadultery and commanded a murder. In I Samuel 15:1-14, we find that Saul tried to hide hissin. He was told to kill all the Amalekites and all thecattle. But he spared Agag and the best of the cattle. Heplayed the hypocrite and tried to cover up his sin by sayingto Samuel, "Blessed be thou of the LORD: I haveperformed the commandment of the LORD.”" But hecould not fool Samuel. Samuel replied, "What meaneththen this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowingof the oxen which I hear?" In Matthew 10:26, we read that Jesus said, “Fear themnot therefore; for there is nothing covered, that shall notbe revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.”

God’s way of covering sin In order to have God cover our sins, we must confessthem. We must not hide them! “If we confess our sins,he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanseus from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). God uses the precious blood of His Son, our LordJesus Christ, as the active ingredient in cleansing us fromour sins. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,we have fellowship one with another, and the blood ofJesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John1:7). “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemedwith corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vainconversation received by tradition from your fathers; Butwith the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb withoutblemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:18-19). The lastpart of Revelation 1:5 reads, “Unto him that loved us, andwashed us from our sins in his own blood.” The blood of Jesus only can cover and remove oursins!

Covering SinBond Tennant

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"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon,and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations,with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’shearts failing them for fear, and for looking after thosethings which are coming on the earth: for the powers ofheaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Sonof man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.And when these things begin to come to pass, then lookup, and lift up your heads; for your redemption drawethnigh" (Luke 21:25-28). A number of places in both the Old and New Testa-ments tell us of signs in the heavens before the return ofJesus. For the vast majority of the world's inhabitants thesesigns will be full of terror. For God's people, however,these signs will not take them by surprise. As Jesus in-structed His disciples, they are to "look up, and lift upyour heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." After Jesuscomes for His saints, the Scriptures seem to indicate thatthere will also be signs in the heavens that will take placewhen the Lord punishes the world for its wickedness.Let us now study some of the passages of Scripture whichaddress these issues. In the above text in Luke chapter 21 Jesus said thatalong with the signs in the heavens there will also be dis-tress upon the earth including "the sea and the waves roar-ing". This could be in reference to an effect of the moon'sincreased gravitational pull upon the oceans at that time.If that is the case, then the ocean tides could be much

higher causing the waves to roar. In any event, men willbe terrified at what is taking place in the heavens and onthe earth. In Isaiah chapter 13 we see where the Lord proph-esied against Babylon to overthrow it. Within that proph-ecy we learn of events which appear to have a widerscope than just for Babylon. Let us read verses 9-14."Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both withwrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and heshall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars ofheaven and the constellations thereof shall not give theirlight: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and themoon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punishthe world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity;and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, andwill lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make aman more precious than fine gold; even a man than thegolden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heav-ens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in thewrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierceanger. And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheepthat no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to hisown people, and flee every one into his own land." In verse 11 of the above text we see that the Lord will"punish the world for their evil". There will also be signs inthe heavens when this takes place. Even the earth will beremoved out of its place "in the wrath of the LORD ofhosts". Revelation chapter 16 informs us that the Lord's

The Powers of HeavenBy David DeLong

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wrath is fulfilled in the seven last plagues. In fact, Isaiah 24 seems to indicate that heavenly signsand earth-shaking events will be present at the time ofGod's great wrath. Verses 1-6 and 19-23 sets the stagefor us. "Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, andmaketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scatterethabroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with thepeople, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with hismaster; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with thebuyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with theborrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver ofusury to him. The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterlyspoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word. The earthmourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth andfadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof;because they have transgressed the laws, changed theordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore haththe curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell thereinare desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth areburned, and few men left." "The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is cleandissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shallreel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed likea cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavyupon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. And it shallcome to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish thehost of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of theearth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together,as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up inthe prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Thenthe moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, whenthe LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusa-lem, and before his ancients gloriously." We see that God is no respecter of persons. His wrathwill be poured out upon the wicked whether they are regu-lar people or priests, masters or servants, buyers or sell-ers, etc. This wrath seems to be during the time of theseven last plagues. There will be a great burning of thepeople with only a few men left in it. We are informed thatthe earth will be shaken and that "it shall fall, and not riseagain." Revelation 8:7 tells us of a great burning during theplagues. "The first angel sounded, and there followed hailand fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon theearth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and allgreen grass was burnt up." Also, Revelation 16:8-9 reads:

"And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun;and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemedthe name of God, which hath power over these plagues:and they repented not to give him glory." These punish-ments will be put upon the people "...because they havetransgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken theeverlasting covenant" (Isaiah 24:5). The laws mentioned above are God's laws which havebeen transgressed. These laws include the Ten Command-ments. Not only will idolatry, stealing, lying, murder, andadultery bring about God's wrath, but Sabbath breakingwill do the same. The ordinance which has been changedmost likely includes the Lord's Supper and baptism. In-stead of keeping the Lord's Supper the way Jesus insti-tuted it, many observe it whenever and however they wantto. Instead of being baptized by immersion in Jesus' nameand accompanied by the laying on of hands (see Acts8:14-17),multitudes have their own methods for being baptized.Most of the world, including many professing Christians,have "broken the everlasting covenant." This is seriousbecause it will bring about the curse mentioned in Isaiah24:6. Furthermore, we have evidence from the book of Joelwhich seems to inform us of various celestial events totake place before and after the Lord returns. We read inJoel 2:1-3;10: "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and soundan alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of theland tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it isnigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a dayof clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spreadupon the mountains: a great people and a strong; therehath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more afterit, even to the years of many generations. A fire devourethbefore them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land isas the garden of Eden before them, and behind them adesolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escapethem...The earth shall quake before them; the heavensshall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and thestars shall withdraw their shining". Again, this appears tobe during the plagues. In Joel chapter 3:9-16 we get a vivid description ofthe battle of Armageddon which takes place during theseventh plague. "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Pre-pare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war

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draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares intoswords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weaksay, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all yeheathen, and gather yourselves together round about:thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valleyof Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathenround about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe:come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats over-flow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudesin the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is nearin the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall bedarkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. TheLORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voicefrom Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake:but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and thestrength of the children of Israel." (See Revelation 16:12-16). Now, in Joel chapter 2 we read of heavenly signs whichprecede the coming of the Lord. "And it shall come topass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, yourold men shall dream dreams, your young men shall seevisions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaidsin those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will showwonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire,and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into dark-ness, and the moon into blood, before the great and theterrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come topass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORDshall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shallbe deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the rem-nant whom the LORD shall call" (Joel 2:28-32). Notice how this passage is interpreted by the ApostlePeter on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit wasgiven to the early disciples. "But this is that which wasspoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass inthe last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit uponall flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall proph-esy, and your young men shall see visions, and your oldmen shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on myhandmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit;and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heavenabove, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire,and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into dark-ness, and the moon into blood, before that great and no-

table day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass,that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall besaved" (Acts 2:16-21). Jesus spoke of signs in the heavens before His returnin Matthew 24:27-31. "For as the lightning cometh out ofthe east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also thecoming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the car-case is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Imme-diately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun bedarkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and thestars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heav-ens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of theSon of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of theearth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming inthe clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And heshall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, andthey shall gather together his elect from the four winds,from one end of heaven to the other." Revelation chapter 6, verses 12-17 adds more detailsto the description which Jesus gave us in Matthew 24."And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo,there was a great earthquake; and the sun became blackas sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Andthe stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig treecasteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mightywind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolledtogether; and every mountain and island were moved outof their places. And the kings of the earth, and the greatmen, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and themighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hidthemselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hideus from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and fromthe wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath iscome; and who shall be able to stand?" This event appears to be written about by the ProphetIsaiah in chapter 2:10-21. "Enter into the rock, and hidethee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory ofhis majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, andthe haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and theLORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day ofthe LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proudand lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shallbe brought low: And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, thatare high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that

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are lifted up, And upon every high tower, and upon everyfenced wall, And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and uponall pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall bebowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be madelow: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall gointo the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth,for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty,when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day aman shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold,which they made each one for himself to worship, to the

moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks,and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of theLORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he arisethto shake terribly the earth." We should not wait for heavenly signs to take placebefore getting right with the Lord. However, for thosewho are living for the Lord these signs, when they come,will be an incentive to lift up their heads for their redemp-tion is soon to come with the appearance of Jesus. Forthose not living for the Lord, these signs, before or afterthe coming of the Lord, will be a terrifying portent of doom.

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a bro-ken spirit drieth the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). The Biblehas a lot to say on the subject of happiness and joy. Hav-ing a merry heart, as the above text reads, does good likea medicine. It is known that being happy can even boosta person's immune system. Children of God should bethe most joyful of people. First, let us recognize that joy is a part of the fruit ofthe Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). Therefore, every true be-liever already possesses a degree of joy within them. Thisdoesn't mean that the believer does not have to cultivatethat joy. As a matter of fact, the Lord commands Hispeople to be joyful. Philippians 4:4 informs us: "Rejoice inthe Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." I Thessalonians5:16 reminds us: "Rejoice evermore." The book of Psalms has much to say on being joyful.This is because of what the Lord has done for us. Forinstance, "But let all those that put their trust in thee re-joice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendestthem: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee"(Psalm 5:11). Also, we read in Psalm 16:11, "Thou wiltshow me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy;at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Jesus taught that His disciples should even be joyful inadversities. "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you,and when they shall separate you from their company,

and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil,for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, andleap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven:for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets"(Luke 6:22-23). The way that one cultivates joy in his or her life isthrough obeying the Lord's commandments. Jesus said:"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love;even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, andabide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you,that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy mightbe full" (John 15:10-11). One way that we are to express our joy in the Lord isfound in Ephesians 5:19: "Speaking to yourselves in psalmsand hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melodyin your heart to the Lord". Another way is found inNehemiah 8:10: "Then he said unto them, Go your way,eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions untothem for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holyunto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORDis your strength." Finally, we read the words of Jesus in Luke 10:20:"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits aresubject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your namesare written in heaven."

A Merry HeartBy David DeLong

THE SIGNS OFTHE TIMES

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Two Other Gospels The Apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, “Imarvel that ye are so soon removed from him that calledyou into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Whichis not another; but there be some that trouble you, andwould pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or anangel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you thanthat which we have preached unto you, let him beaccursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If anyman preach any other gospel unto you than that ye havereceived, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9). “Nowthe Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times someshall depart from the faith, ….” (I Timothy 4:1). We are told that the mainstream Catholic and traditionalProtestant denominations have declined rapidly in recentyears. Evangelical Protestantism and especiallyTelevangelism have partially filled the vacuum. There are two false gospels that many of these groupspreach during these latter times. Let us consider both ofthem. The Prosperity Gospel Many call this gospel “a gospel of prosperity.” Onewell known televangelist and author has been quoted assaying, “God wants to increase you financially, by givingyou promotions, fresh ideas, creativity. Think big. Thinkincrease. Think abundance. Think more than enough.”Many other evangelists preach much the same thing. The desire for God’s blessings is well and proper. Butwe wonder at the fact that such a “prosperity gospel”was never preached by Jesus and the apostles. Neitherwas it the way they lived.

Let us consider some of the many statements from ourLord concerning earthly treasure and riches. He said,“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, wheremoth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves breakthrough and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures inheaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, andwhere thieves do not break through nor steal: For whereyour treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew6:19-21). Jesus told a young man, “...If thou wilt beperfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come andfollow me” (Matthew 19:21). Then Jesus told Hisdisciples, “...And again I say unto you, It is easier for acamel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a richman to enter into the kingdom of God” (verse 24). “Thensaid Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come afterme, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and followme” (Matthew 16:24). When speaking of Himself, Jesussaid, “...The foxes have holes, and the birds of the airhave nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay hishead” (Matthew 8:20). The Apostle Paul warned Timothy and us about thedeceitfulness of riches and the evil of coveting such things.The apostle wrote, “But godliness with contentment isgreat gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and itis certain we can carry nothing out. And having food andraiment let us be therewith content. But they that will berich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolishand hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction andperdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil:which while some coveted after, they have erred from thefaith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”(I Timothy 6:6-10). After reading the above words of Jesus and the Apostle

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Paul, it is clear that God is not the author of the “prosperitygospel.” However, it is very popular among manyprofessing Christians. This is because it is what they wantto hear. They want to hear their ministers counsel them toseek wealth. Man does not want to hear about sacrifice,to deny themselves, or to know the dangers of seekingearthly riches. “For the time will come when they will not endure sounddoctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap tothemselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shallturn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turnedunto fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4).

The Social Gospel Another gospel is quite popular during these days. Letus call it the “social gospel.” A mega-church (a churchwith many members) can be used as a fitting example.Mega-churches are located mostly in large cities. Themega-church goes far beyond the simple churchorganization and operation which was taught by Jesus andHis apostles. The mega-church may boast of its size,both in attendance and measurement. A mega-churchlocated in Houston has a large audience each week withthousands of members and visitors, and it employs manypeople including policemen and plumbers. The mega-church may have many activities beside their“normal” church services. The mega-church may evenboast that they have camps, classes on parenting,community service events. They may even have amotivational speaker give a presentation from time to time.A restaurant may also be in the church facility. Now we may wonder about the size, numbers, costs,and the many activities which are outside the pattern givento us by the early church members. The activities whichwe have listed that a mega-church may have are not inthemselves wrong. In fact they are in many ways admirable.However, the environment created by these things hasresulted many times in going to church becoming more ofa social event than in true spiritual development. Our Lord Jesus Christ told the woman at the well howGod must be worshiped. He told her, “But the hourcometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shallworship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Fatherseeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and theythat worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth”(John 4:23-24). When witnessing before the high priest, Stephentestified that big buildings made with human hands did not

constitute the dwelling place of God. “Howbeit the mostHigh dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saiththe prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is myfootstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord:or what is the place of my rest?” (Acts 7:48-49) There is nothing wrong in possessing a building in whichto worship. However, we must remember that it isdedicated to the glory of God, not some social activitieswhich can corrupt our minds and make us forget thesimplicity that is in Christ (II Corinthians 11:3). Satanloves it when social activities, or any other activity, makesone forget about the spiritual things and the gospel whichJesus and His apostles taught! Granted, there are many other gospels in the worldbeside the “prosperity gospel” and “social gospel.” Thereis the “Catholic gospel”, the “Mormon gospel”, the“humanistic gospel”, the “Scientology gospel” and manymore. In order to overcome these other gospels, let uspractice II Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approvedunto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,rightly dividing the word of truth.” Only in the Word ofGod (the Bible) is found the gospel which was preachedby our Lord Jesus and His apostles. It is not foundanywhere else!

Crisis In Christianity An article in the April 9, 2012 issue of Newsweekmagazine was titled “The Forgotten Jesus.” The authoraddresses the fact that organized Christianity has left thesimple teachings of Jesus. He wrote that “Christianity hasbeen destroyed by politics, priests, and get-richevangelists.” He then gives us some sound advice. Heboldly states, “Ignore them, and embrace Him.” Theauthor says that the simple teachings of Jesus include suchthings as: love one another, even your enemies; forgivethose who sin against you; do not pursue, but sacrificematerial wealth; do not seek power over others; avoidviolence with your fellowman; love the true God whocreated us in His image. In the end of the article, the writer states: “I have noconcrete idea of how Christianity will wrestle free of itscurrent crisis, of its distractions and temptations, andabove all its enmeshment with the things of the world….Living each day and doing what we can to fulfill God’swill is more vital than ever…. We need radical spiritualchange.”

Questions and

Answers

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QUESTION: Do unconverted men have the right to callGod their Father?

ANSWER: Your answer is no! Let us quote John 8:42-44. “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, yewould love me: for I proceeded forth and came fromGod; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why doye not understand my speech? even because ye cannothear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and thelusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer fromthe beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there isno truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh ofhis own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

QUESTION: Can a person who commits murder besaved?

ANSWER: Salvation is freely offered to sinners whocome to God through Jesus Christ His Son. David was amurderer, but God forgave him and received him.Whosoever will may come.

QUESTION: Will sincere people who held erroneousviews of the Bible and salvation be lost just because theyhold such teachings?

ANSWER: Saul of Tarsus was sincere when he held the

erroneous belief in persecuting the Church of God, but hewas lost until he received the Lord Jesus Christ as hispersonal Savior. Sincerity is a good thing if it is directedin the right way, but sincerity in error is dangerous.

QUESTION: How could Lazarus have walked out ofhis tomb in Bethany as he was bound in his grave clothes?

ANSWER: There is no record that he “walked out,”and he was not told to walk out. The Lord cried saying,“...Lazarus, come forth,” and the Word says that “...hethat was dead came forth, bound hand and foot withgraveclothes...” (John 11:43-44).

QUESTION: I have some friends who say that they willnot become a member of the church because there aretoo many members that are hypocrites in it. Will youplease comment about their reasoning?ANSWER: It is sad but true. There are hypocrites inthe church! We can expect this fact. Our Lord Jesuschose a Judas Iscariot. Since hypocrites pretend to bechildren of God, and no one can be absolutely sure abouttheir identity, some are sure to get into the church. Jesus,who is the head of the church, told us ahead of time thathypocrites would enter into it. “Beware of false prophets,which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly theyare ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Jesus does notmake hypocrites, but He knew that tares would be foundamong the wheat. It is the evil one who sows the tares.Consider Judas who was a good disciple and apostle untiliniquity was sown in him, and he became a devil.

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Why not concentrate on the good and loyal members?As long as the Devil is free to roam the earth, there willbe hypocrites. There will be hypocrites in the church untilthe rapture of the church takes place. We admit that theydo the church no good, but why should they hinder youfrom becoming a better Christian and a better worker inthe body of Christ? If the hypocrites keep you awayfrom the church and keep you from supporting the bodyof Christ, then Satan has done his job. Therefore hisstrategy has been successful. If hypocrites keep you fromgetting closer to the Lord, then why do not saints attractyou closer to the Lord? There are many more saints ofGod than hypocrites. Fairness demands that if youcondemn the church for its hypocrites, you ought to praiseit for its saints. It is inconsistent to shun the Church of God becauseof the hypocrites that are in it. You cannot escape themanywhere else in this world. They are in business, butyou do not shun that. Society is full of them, but you donot avoid it on their account. Marriage is cursed by them,but still you join the ranks of the married. Governmenthas its share, too, but you would not dispense with it.School is loaded with them, but are you doing anything toavoid going to school? Of course not! You cannot get away from hypocrites. Why, even theanimal world, we are told, has something akin to humanhypocrisy. It shows up in some dogs. The best of dogswill sometimes be taken with a fever of sheep killing. Thekilling is always done at night. The guilty dog will alwaysendeavor to tempt the other dogs to go with him, and ifpossible will lay the blame at their door. When this madnessof sheep-killing is on him, that dog will assume, during theday, at the house and around the barn, an usually genialand friendly air. Again, you cannot get away fromhypocrites! Why not think of yourself? Why so much ado aboutthe conduct of others who may be hypocrites? God willtake care of them. What about yourself? Are you atpeace with God? Have you found pardon through theatoning blood of Jesus Christ? Do you have the hope ofeternal life within you? Are you on the road of love andobedience to God? Truth is intensely personal. You must settle the matterof your personal relationship to God. Let the hypocritessettle theirs. The Bible states, “So then every one of usshall give account of himself to God.” Yes, you can escape the hypocrites. Support the

church, and work for it! Hear and accept the Gospel ofsalvation which it preaches at the command of Christ.That is the way, the only way to obtain eternal life andinherit your place in the kingdom where no hypocrite willever be. You may sit next to one in church, but when youhave entered into the kingdom, you will not meet him again.All hypocrites will be left outside of the city walls. “Andthere shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth,neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh alie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life”(Revelation 21:27). The church has its hypocrites, but it is not up to you orme to point them out. Their actions speak louder thanyour or my judgments. Judging is left up to God the Father.Let us keep ourselves from hypocrisy!

QUESTION: Is the saying, “Let your conscience beyour guide” a safe one on which to rely?

ANSWER: When answering your question, let usconsider the Apostle Paul. In Acts 23:1, he said: “...Ihave lived in all good conscience before God until thisday.” After Paul met Jesus on the Damascus Road,something changed drastically in him. Before that, he hadcaptured Christians, even committing them to prison anddeath. After being struck down by the light from heaven,he was ready to suffer for the very cause he had beenfighting. Conscience depends on what one is taught, or the lawone accepts. Paul lived “in good conscience” because atall times he was living by his convictions. When thoseconvictions changed, his conduct and manner of lifechanged also. Before and after the change, he lived “ingood conscience” because he was living by the law towhich he had pledged obedience. What is the role of conscience? The authority of lawcreates a moral “must” or “ought.” When the law of Godsays not to lie, one knows that he must not color, or stretchthe truth. If one says that he does not know what happenedwhen he really does, there is an emotional distress.Something in him feels uncomfortable. That something isconscience because he knows better than what he says.His conscience tells him that he is liable. “Let your conscience be your guide” was not Paul’swisdom. He trained his conscience by his convictions,then lived by them. May we do likewise!

THE CHURCH AROUNDTHE WORLD

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Brethren in Myanmar

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LESSON I

SAUL’S FIRST MISTAKE

Scripture Reading: I Samuel 13:1-23.Golden Text: I Samuel 13:9. “And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt-offering to me,and peace-offerings. And he offered the burnt-offering.”

NOTE: In our last lesson, we learned that Saul was kingof Israel, and that the nation seemed to be on its way togreatness. Samuel warns Israel and Saul to not forget God,and they will accomplish great things. Let us see now ifSaul obeyed the voice of Samuel.

1. After Saul had reigned two years, what did he do? ISamuel 13:1-2.

2. Where did Jonathan smite the garrison of Philistines? ISamuel 13:3.

3. What then did the Philistines do? I Samuel 13:5.

4. What did the men of Israel do? Were they afraid? ISamuel 13:6-7.

5. How long did Saul tarry in Gilgal, and what did he dothere? I Samuel 13:8-9.

NOTE: Saul offered a sacrifice which was what the priestswere to do. Saul thought he was great enough to do it.

6. When Samuel heard that Saul had offered a burntoffering, was he pleased? I Samuel 13:12-13.

7. What did Samuel tell Saul would happen to hiskingdom? I Samuel 13:14.

8. What happened that the Israelites had neither swordnor spear? I Samuel 13:17-23.

LESSON II

JONATHAN’S GREAT VICTORY

Scripture Reading: I Samuel 14:1-24.Golden Text: I Samuel 14:13. “And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and uponhis feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fellbefore Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him.”

NOTE: King Saul was quite successful at first, but humilitysoon gave place to pride in his life. He offered sacrifices,which was the exclusive function of the priests. This wasthe first sign of Saul's self importance. Now we shall studyabout Jonathan.

1. Who was Jonathan, and where did he go? I Samuel14:1.

2. Where was Saul at this time, and how many men werewith him? I Samuel 14:2.

3. Describe the passage way by which Jonathan wentunto the Philistines’ garrison. I Samuel 14:4-5.

4. Jonathan and his armourbearer made themselves knownunto the Philistines. What did the Philistines say to them?I Samuel 14:11-12.

5. What did Jonathan do in I Samuel 14:13-14.

6. Did Saul and his people assemble and come to thebattle? I Samuel 14:20-22.

7. Did the Lord save Israel that day? I Samuel 14:23.

8. Why had Saul commanded his army to abstain fromfood? I Samuel 14:24.

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LESSON III

SAUL’S SECOND MISTAKE

Scripture Reading: I Samuel 14:25-52.Golden Text: I Samuel 14:44. “And Saul answered, God do so and more also: forthou shalt surely die, Jonathan.”

NOTE: Saul’s first mistake was made when he offeredsacrifice, which was the exclusive function of priests. Nowwe shall learn what the second great mistake was. Saulcommanded all the people of Israel to not eat any fooduntil the evening. Let us see if everyone in Israel obeyedhis voice.

1. What did the people find upon the ground as theycame to the wood? I Samuel 14:25.

2. Did all obey Saul and not touch the honey whichdripped? I Samuel 14:26-27.

3. Was Jonathan afraid of his father and what he mightdo to him for eating the honey? I Samuel 14:28-30.

4. What did the people of Israel do that day? I Samuel14:31-32.

5. When Saul heard what the people had done, whatwas his command, and what did he do? I Samuel 14:33-36.

6. Did Saul seek counsel from God? Did God answerhis plea? I Samuel 14:37.

7. Jonathan was taken, and he told Saul that he had eatenthe honey. Did Saul still want to impose the death sentenceupon him? I Samuel 14:43-44.

8. Were the people in sympathy with Saul or Jonathan?Did they rescue Jonathan? I Samuel 14:49.

9. Was there war against the Philistines as long as Saulwas king? I Samuel 14:52.

LESSON IV

SAUL’S COMPLETE DISOBEDIENCE(PART 1)

Scripture Reading: I Samuel 15:1-11.Golden Text: I Samuel 15:11 (first part). “It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: forhe is turned back from following me, and hath notperformed my commandments.”

NOTE: Saul made two great mistakes while he was kingover Israel. We studied about his second mistake in ourlast lesson which was the death sentence imposed uponhis son Jonathan. Now let us study about his third andfinal mistake.

1. When Samuel anointed Saul king, what did he instructSaul to do? I Samuel 15:1.

2. What did the Lord say about Amalek? I Samuel 15:2.

3. What was Saul instructed to do? I Samuel 15:3.

4. Did he obey this command? How many men werewith him? I Samuel 15:4-5.

5. What did Saul tell the Kenites to do? I Samuel 15:6.

6. Did Saul smite the Amalekites? What did he do withtheir king? I Samuel 15:7-9.

NOTE: The Lord told King Saul to destroy all that theAmalekites had, and we find now that he did not obeyGod.

7. What did the Lord say to Samuel in I Samuel 15:10-11?

The Children's Page Story

PAGE TWENTY-TWO THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH

Johnny’s room was having a contest. Theteacher wanted to find out who could add thefastest. She sent three boys to the blackboard.Johnny was one of them.

“I will give you a problem,” the teacher said.“You will write the answer on the blackboard.The one who puts the answer down last willhave to sit down. Then someone else will takehis place. The last one at the board will win thecontest.”

The teacher read the problem. Quick as awink Johnny put the answer on the board. Jerrywas almost as fast. Tom was the slowest. Hetook his seat. Polly took his place at the board.

Polly could add very fast. Johnny knew hewould really have to work fast to win, withPolly at the board. But soon both Jerry andPolly had taken their seats, and two more hadcome up. Johnny was still up.

The teacher gave them another problem.Johnny worked it quickly. He was still first.And then as the teacher told Billy to take hisseat Johnny noticed something. The answerwas twenty-three, but he had put twenty-five.His five looked so much like a three that noone had noticed the mistake.

Johnny stopped. He laid down his chalk.He had made a mistake even if no one hadseen it. He raised his hand. “I had the wronganswer,” he said. “I wrote twenty-five.”

JOHNNY’S MISTAKE By Katherine Blake

“It looked like twenty-three,” said theteacher. "But it was not," Johnny said. "I shouldtake my seat instead of Billy."

“You have done well today,” the teachersaid. “You can add very fast. That is good.But it is better to be honest than to be able toadd fast. You could have cheated, but you didnot. That is better than winning the contest.”

And as Johnny sat down, he felt goodbecause he had done the right thing.

Answers to Puzzle - game on page twenty one

The Children's Page Games and Puzzles

THE ADVOCATE OF TRUTH PAGE TWENTY-THREE

PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. “_ _ _ _ your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).3. “Blessed are _ _ _ peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9)6. “_ _ My Father’s house are many mansions”(John 14:3)8. To take in food9. Another name for Jesus11. A mother sheep13. Leather straps used to guide horses15. Moses’ brother16. “_ _ _ lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:4)17. A Bible word for “your"19. Mountain (abbreviation)20. To use a question22. A person who lives close to you23. Clothing, "gold or pearls or costly _ _ _ _ _ s)" (ITimothy 2:9)30. “Even _ _ Christ forgave you” (Colossians 3:13)32. "The people stood by _ _ _ and heard _ _ " (John12:29)33. You, “Delight _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in the Lord” (Psalm37:4)

DOWN

1. "I am the way, the truth and the _ _ _ _ _ " (John14:6)2. “He that believeth _ _ the Son hath everlastinglife” (John 3:36)4. “that _ _ gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16)5. Be paid, “he that _ _ _ _ eth wages” (Haggai 1:6)7. Pointed shafts shot from bows.9. To show the way by going along in front10. An animal home12. To wish for14. To speak16. The word at the end of a prayer18. A person who gets some property or money fromsomeone who has died, "this is the _ _ _ _ "(Matthew 21:38)

21. A kind of tree (Psalm 104:17)22. A signal for help24. Where the wise men saw the star25. A color (Deuteronomy 32:25)26. What we wear on our heads27. "The end is not _ _ and _ _ " (Luke 21:9)29. “ _ _ was about he sixth hour” (John 4:6)32. “ _ _ it were not so, I would have told you” (John14:3)

Answers to puzzle on page twenty

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"Behold, how good and how pleasant itis for brethren to dwell together in unity!It is like the precious ointment upon the

head, that ran down upon the beard,even Aaron’s beard: that went down tothe skirts of his garments; As the dew ofHermon, and as the dew that descended

upon the mountains of Zion: for there theLORD commanded the blessing, even

life for evermore" (Psalm 133:1-3).